A dead spirit who's coming back behind costume, music, song, dance, advices and judgments for living people.The recording is from Gilbert Rouget, the great musical ethnologist who worked during a long period in Benin.

Very nice Poly-Rythmo compilation i think released after the death in 1982 of the two composers of the band, Papillon, the guitarist, and Yehouessi Leopold, the drummer. Dossou Gilbert aka Prince Dgib's produced this LP which was distributed in France.

Wonderfull and hypnotic title "Adieu Papillon" dedicated to Papillon, the guitarist of Poly-Rythmo's band who tragically died in 1982. Bylledey Guissey was singing a lot with Poly-Rythmo before returning to traditional music and its education. Great personality.

This album was composed by the saxophonist player of the band, Loko Pierre. It was edited on Albarika Store label in 1978. I particulary enjoy the beautiful gazzo rhyhtm tune "Super Yao Bebenon" sung by a super Eskill Lohento.

Sam Fan Thomas is a cameroonian musician associated with Makossa rhythm. He began his career during the late 60's and knew his first hit with "Rikiatou". Then his "African Typic collection" would be an international hit in 1984. Perhaps his best known album. This older one was recorded in Benin in 1978 with the Black Santiago's. Very original album.

Gnonnas Pedro was also an actor of the "afrobeat" movement. Recorded in 1979 this agbadja modern rhythm single is, through its lyrics, a support of General Mathieu Kerekou's politic (back cover's picture) which was influensed by communism and make Dahomey become, in 1972, the Popular Republic of Benin.

This is the first production and recording, in 1969, from Albarkia Store and Yedenou Adjahoui. As always Adjahoui sings in Goun, a language from the Goun people of Porto Novo. But he also sings, on face B, in Mina, from the ouest of Benin, in Aneho. Many traditional singers were singing in different languages that's how Adjahoui become so popular...

The Picture has been taken in 1969 by Gilbert Rouget, the famous musicologist who recorded many ceremonies. The girl is a Vodoun adept of Dikwin, a rare Vodoun from Goun People.

One of the great things about Ballaké is his diversity and his capacity to shine in any musical style. While SCD 68 contains Mandé (malinke, mandingo etc.) style songs, SCD 69 has two tracks in a very different, probably Mossi
style. The song "Warba" always conjures up images of people walking
backwards, while "Liguiry" evokes the contrary: a feeling of running
(too) fast down a hill....

Rare 1978's recording from Gnonnas Pedro and His Dadjes. This 4th volume contains famous french Charles Aznavour's hit "Bon Anniversaire". Gnonnas Pedro used to be the only singer authorized by Aznavour to interpret his repertory.